Apparatus and a Method of Quantifying Visual Patterns

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for quantifying visual fields of a subject. The apparatus includes a dome structure for accommodating at least a part of body of the subject within the dome structure, a projection device mounted on the dome structure configured to project at least one of light stimuli and an image on inner surface of the dome structure and to capture one or more responses of the subject to one of the projected light stimuli and the image. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to analyze the one or more captured responses of the subject to quantify visual fields of the subject.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus to quantify visual fields of a subject, the apparatus comprising:
 a dome structure for accommodating at least a part of body of the subject within the dome structure;   a projection device mounted on the dome structure configured to:
 project at least one of light stimuli and an image on inner surface of the dome structure; and 
 capture one or more responses of the subject to one of the projected light stimuli and the image; and 
   a processor configured to analyse the one or more responses of the subject to quantify visual fields of the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to vary one of location and intensity of the at least one of light stimuli and image projected by the projection device based on the one or more analyzed responses of the subject. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprises a display device coupled to the projection device and configured to display the response of the subject captured by the projection device. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the dome structure is a hemispherical shaped dome structure and the inner surface of the hemispherical dome shaped structure is concave, wherein the projection device comprises at least one imaging sensor, a fixation light source, and a light source unit mounted on the dome structure. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the light source unit includes at least a digital projector capable of emitting at least one of light stimuli and the image, and a plurality of opto-mechanical components configured to focus the at least one of light stimuli and image emitted by the digital projector on to the concave inner surface of the dome structure. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the light source unit includes at least a laser and a motor assembly to rotate the laser for displaying the at least one of light stimuli and image on to the concave inner surface of the dome structure. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the motor assembly comprises at least a first motor to rotate the laser in X direction and a second motor to rotate the laser in Y direction, wherein the processor is configured to vary the speed and movement of the first and the second motors, based on the captured responses, to vary the location of one of the light stimuli and the image within the dome structure. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the concave inner surface of the dome structure is coated with electroluminescent (EL) paint, wherein the projection device includes an imaging sensor, a fixation light source and a controller to control the display of the at least one of light stimuli and image on the concave inner surface of the dome structure coated with the EL paint. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to capture the one or more responses of the subject that includes one or more of eye and head movement of the subject. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, based on the captured responses, the processor is configured to analyze the response by determining gross visual field estimate, determining visual field extent of the subject, and determining an actual time taken by the subject to respond in response to the projection of at least light stimuli and the image. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to analyze the one or more responses using a pattern worn on the subject's head for gaze calibration, wherein the pattern includes at least one of a cap, a sticker, and a headband worn on the head of the subject. 
     
     
         12 . A method of quantifying visual fields of a subject, the method comprising:
 projecting at least one of light stimuli and an image from a projection device on to a dome structure that accommodates at least a part of body of the subject;   capturing one or more responses of the subject to one of the projected light stimuli and the image; and   analyzing the one or more responses of the subject to quantify visual fields of the subject.   
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising varying at least one of location and intensity of the at least one of light stimuli and image projected by the projection device based on the one or more analyzed responses of the subject. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising displaying the response of the subject captured by the projection device on the display device. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the dome structure is a hemispherical shaped dome structure and an inner surface of the hemispherical dome shaped structure is concave, wherein the projection device comprises at least one imaging sensor, a fixation light source, and a light source unit mounted on the dome structure. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein capturing one or more response of the subject includes capturing one or more of eye and head movement of the subject. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein analyzing the one or more responses includes determining gross visual field estimate, determining visual field extent of the subject, and determining an actual time taken by the subject to respond in response to the projection of at least light stimuli and the image. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein analyzing the one or more responses comprising analyzing the one or more responses using a pattern worn on the subject's head for gaze calibration, wherein the pattern includes at least one of cap and headband worn on the head of the subject.